“Hurting for the Plight of Others”
Oct.31, 2010 Jer.8:18-9:6 Play
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TSUNAMIS, VOLCANOES - AND COMPASSION FATIGUE
• Jesus repeatedly had compassion on the crowds (Mt
9:36; 15:32)
• for many in the world, life’s like living in a
train wreck
• complicating factors in Third World prompt cynicism
about aid
DISOBEDIENCE TOWARD HEAVEN AND HUMAN
• widespread idolatry in Judah, to their own harm
(7:6,9,13,17ff, 24,26,30f; 8:2,6,8,19)
• resulting social crime and immorality, ‘truth
decay’ (5:7f, 7:5,9, 8:10b,12,9:2ff; 1Kings 17:3f)
DOOMED TO DESTRUCTION
• “Should I not punish them for this?” (5:9, 29, 9:9,
16)
• God’s rejection and wrath to result in slaughter
and distress (7:20, 28f, 32; 8:13f, 16)
DISMAYED BY DURESS
• prospect of rescue had faded (8:20; 2Sam 11:1)
• Jeremiah not jeering but weeping in solidarity
(8:21, 9:1, 10, 12, 22)
DELIGHT IN DOING RIGHT
• boast not in wisdom, strength, or riches, but
knowing God who delights in kindness / justice / righteousness (9:23f)
• contrast to wicked who deny justice to orphans /
poor (5:27f)
• Relief & Development opportunities to put
kindness /justice etc. into practice